Abu Dhabi: Al Beloushi looking to extend dominance - Nov 16 2007

Gulfnews.com - Full article
By M. Satya Narayan, Staff Reporter
Published: November 16, 2007, 23:23

Abu Dhabi: Around 70 riders will be battling to win the first competitive open event for the 2007-08 UAE endurance season with the Sorouh Challenge at the Emirates International Endurance Village in Al Wathba on Saturday.

The 120-km three-star FEI ride is being sponsored by Sorouh and the spotlight will surely be on Yousuf Ahmad Al Beloushi from Al Reef Stables. The trainer-cum-rider from the Al Ain base of the Al Reef Stables was both the top trainer as well as the top rider of last season and will be looking to start with a bang.

Massive

"I will be riding Waterlea Tuppence and this is a new season and we will have to start all over again. Everyone at the stables has put in hard work and we hope to extend our domination," said Yousef, who emerged as top rider with 1079 points last season.

Al Reef, owned by Shaikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, emerged as the leading stable with a massive 5097 points last season. Once again Al Reef will be well represented in today's ride. Today's Surouh Challenge, which has attractive prizes for the winners as well as the spectators, will be run in five stages of 32kms, 30kms, 24kms, 18kms and 16 kms.

The Stage Is Set

The transformation from a country club to an endurance village, while not complete, has reached a point of being fairly convincing. The tennis courts are covered over and temporary stalls are there for horses from Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and I imagine Egypt. The Egyptian horses and the Saudi horses are in the neighbourhood but I believe will be moved in after the vet check tomorrow afternoon. The trail has been set and a map will be available tomorrow as well. Basically, the cast is here, the stage is set, and the production starts tomorrow.


[More ...]
Yesterday (Friday) morning I had some clients in from the UK who wanted to do a long ride, so we left the farm early in the morning to ride to the lake at Dahshur, about 20 km south of here. This is a glorious ride through the desert with views of about twenty pyramids in various stages of disrepair and marvelous long stretches for canters (ok, actually gallops) across the sand. The vistas of pyramids were a bit surreal, however, due to heavy fog and as we rode part of the trail that had been set for the race, I found myself wondering how the riders were going to be coping in the fog at 5 am on Monday. The flags are set far enough apart that they weren't that easy to see in daylight, much less in the dawn murk of a Nile Valley fog. Maybe the riders will be relying on cars to lead the way; we'll see. I told my clients that they could go home and brag that they'd ridden at least part of the Pan Arab championship trail. Once I got home and finished my lesson and farm chores, I went to the nearby farm where the Egyptian team has been working and training. There are seven horses from which they will be choosing six for the race, most of them from stables near the Giza pyramids, and two from farms in this area. They are all locally bred and trained, unlike the horses from the Gulf and apparently Syria. I don't know about the Saudi horses' origins yet or the Jordanian.

At the farm, I received a call from a young vet friend of mine who is here with the UAE team. He was just finishing his training in Egypt when we were having our first races here and subsequently got a position in Dubai where he's worked for the past seven years. This year he was sent with the UAE team to supervise the horses for his employer, the Maktoum stables. Unfortunately, the mobile phones from the UAE weren't on roaming and had no reception, so he needed to get a new sim card for the grooms. Late at night, this is no place to be hunting for a sim card so I offered him a spare phone for the night...what a terrific excuse to be able to see the UAE horses up close and personal. What terrific horses. Beautiful creatures with the kind of spirit that horses at this level of competition should have.

This morning after dispensing with my farm work, I ran down to the club again to see how things have changed. I found the Bahrain team waiting on the grass in front of the vet gates for the horses and riders who had been out trying part of the trail in the desert. Rumours are that with the usual rivalry between Abu Dhabi and Dubai being submerged in the alliance of the two teams for the UAE, the fight to watch is between Bahrain and the UAE. The quality of horses definitely supports the rumour. I asked a couple of the riders what they thought of the trail and they were not wildly thrilled with it. Was it the trail itself or the footing? Definitely the footing is the issue. Deep sand covered in flint is not any racer's idea of wonderful. One young woman suggested that it could be seriously improved by grading it to eliminate the patches of deep sand and rocky sand, but I pointed out that since most of the race is taking place in Antiquities Department land, the authorities were most unlikely to appreciate the suggestion. Bulldozing unexcavated antiquities is not recommended in Egypt...not even for an important endurance race.

Given that the climate is not really ripe for changing the footing of the trail, I asked what the riders' strategy would likely be and was told that they were going to have to ride a much more careful race than they might otherwise do. They'd brought many of their best horses to this race and didn't want to see them injured. It will be interesting to see what the footing issue does to the conduct of the race.

As I was leaving the "barn" on the tennis courts I encountered one of those very Egyptian scenes, the tennis pro and some helpers tightening the net on the one surviving court. Whether they were expecting to play a game there with the possibility of a wild shot bouncing through a couple of million dollars worth of horses or not, almost doesn't bear thinking about.

Austr: Recreation industry counts cost of horse flu - Nov 10 2007

abc.net.au/am/ - Full transcript
AM - Saturday, 10 November , 2007 08:18:00
Reporter: David Margan

ELIZABETH JACKSON: As the thundering of the Melbourne Cup hooves fades into the distance Australia's racing industry must again confront the enormous cost of the horse flu outbreak.

No one really knows how many horses there are in Australia, and no one is quite sure just how much equine influenza will ultimately cost, but it's already been estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, and the cost isn't just financial.

David Margan filed this report.

RACE CALLER: Ms Bustle flying home, it'll be too late, and Accelerator�

JOHN MESSARA: Perhaps the worst disaster that's befallen us in the last 20 or 30 years because of the disruption it's caused.

DAVID MARGAN: John Messara, principal of Arrowfield Stud and one of the kings of the track.

JOHN MESSARA: It's estimated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics that it's costing racing $3-million a day, and it's costing the breeding industry $1.3-million a day.

DAVID MARGAN: But there is another half of the horse industry that's been almost completely ignored, whose losses have been just as great but whose heartbreak has been far more widespread. We're talking about the performance and pleasure horse sector that includes a plethora of activities from pony clubs to Olympic equestrian.

PETER TOFT: It's hard to put a definitive amount on it, but you're talking about millions and millions of dollars, if not billions of dollars. I mean, it's been an amazing catastrophe.

DAVID MARGAN: Peter Toft breeds endurance horses, and as chairman of the fledgling Queensland Pleasure and Performance Horse Association, puts his market sector's losses at $5-million a day.

PETER TOFT: Every day it goes on the problems become deeper and the chances of recovery of our industry become much more protracted.

DAVID MARGAN: John Wicks is one of Australia's foremost reining horse trainers and riders, but his growing business has ground to a halt.

JOHN WICKS: You know, the bills still keep coming in.

DAVID MARGAN: So, what are you doing to make ends meet?

JOHN WICKS: Well, I'm doing a little bit of gardening, a bit of fencing. Anything I possibly can at the moment.

DAVID MARGAN: Another cost has been confidence.

John Messara.

JOHN MESSARA: The Thoroughbred Owners Association did a survey of their membership to see who would buy horses in 2008, post EI, and they got 100 per cent negative response. That's a frightening thing.

DAVID MARGAN: The spread of the virus and government's response to it has also fractured relations within the great horse family. The thoroughbred sector, using its great well-organised influence, had restrictions on horse movements modified so their breeding season could get underway, a concession not extended to anyone else. And it was also they who got the first vaccinations.

Peter Toft:

PETER TOFT: Eighty five per cent of our industry is made up of microbusinesses. They're people that employ less than five people and those sort of people are very good for the Australian economy. Collectively, they made up billions and billions of dollars.

DAVID MARGAN: And they've been ignored thus far?

PETER TOFT: Totally ignored.

DAVID MARGAN: Toft further claims that over half the horse industry has got almost nothing from the nearly $100-million so far given in financial assistance by the Commonwealth, Queensland and New South Wales Governments.

ELIZABETH JACKSON: David Margan with that report. And you can watch David's full story on ABC TV's Landline program tomorrow at midday.

Aust hopes to be free of EI virus by mid-2008 - Nov 14 2007

North Queensland Register - Full Story
By Julie Paul
Wednesday, 14 November 2007

News from the eastern states indicates the equine influenza outbreak is still being contained and, if biosecurity measures continue to be observed, Australia is likely to be free of the virus by mid-2008.

Primary Industries & Resources South Australia's chief veterinary officer, Rob Rahaley, made the announcement at a meeting of professional and recreational riders, hosted by Horse SA at Morphettville.

Attendees included representatives from

- showjumping,

- eventing,

- dressage,

- showing,

- pony club,

- endurance riding organisations,

- farriers and

- administrators from the Equestrian Federation of Australia.

Dr Rahaley said the biosecurity measures presently required for gatherings of more than nine horses will still be enforced.

He outlined the type of precautions necessary when horse events gradually start again.

There are three main areas of consideration:

• Venue selection

• Biosecurity plans

• Contingency plans

Under the heading of venue selection, he stressed the need to:

• Keep members of the public away from the horses or exclude them from the venue altogether.

• Have adequate - and separate - toilet and washing areas for competitors and spectators.

• Provide an area for horses to be confined if they show any signs of infection.

• Choose a location able to accommodate a large number of horses in case of infection and subsequent quarantine.

He said biosecurity measures recommended are comprehensive. They include:

• Ensure your organisation has the power to insist the following precautions can be taken

• Adequate security (gatekeepers, volunteers ensuring spectators were nowhere near horses etc)

• No dogs at the venue. Dogs can carry the virus on their skins just as people can on their hands, hair and clothing

• Horses must not share water or feed containers

• Minimise contact between competitors

• Enforce compliance with the rules. People will be asked to sign statements declaring they have not been in contact with any infected horse, or with any person who may have had contact with an infected horse.

• Monitor horses for the next five days, including regular inspection and taking of temperatures

• Keep comprehensive records of all horses at the venue,

- where they have come from,

- who has been in contact with them,

- do they have clean equipment,

- are they showing normal temperature readings, etc.

• The records are to be kept as long as there is any chance of a horse showing signs of infection after the event.

Dr Rahaley said a contingency plan must also be considered.

In a worst-case-scenario, the organisation must be able to ensure there was adequate provision for horses if the whole site is quarantined,

- stabling of yards,

- getting in supplies of feed,

- providing disinfectant, accommodation and washing facilties for riders.

The quarantine zone should be anything up to a 10-kilometre radius around the lockdown area, and quarantine could easily last for six weeks.

Dr Rahaley stressed the need for careful planning to minimise any risk of infection and to comply with the law.

He said PIRSA would make random checks on any horse event at any time.

"When it is proved that the virus no longer exists in Australia, event organisers can go back to their previous arrangements," Dr Rahaley said.

But he thinks many organisations will choose to adopt the above precautions permanently, realising that they are largely a matter of common sense.

When asked why recreational riders are seen as the 'poor relations' of the horse world and why the virus vaccine is only available to the racing industry, Dr Rahaley said he believed that the virus could still be eliminated without country-wide vaccinations.

"The vaccination program is very expensive," he said. "And owners would be committted to a program costing $90 million - Australia-wide - each year.

"The recreational riders are the ones who can least afford more costs added to the already heavy expense of keeping a horse."

SOURCE: Breaking news from the Stock Journal, SA, November 15.

Endurance trial event proves successful -Nov 17 2007

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full article
First-placed horse and rider, Naser Marzouqi (UAE) riding Hafiza du Mas.
Photo: Cidinha Franzao

November 17 2007

Heavy tropical storms and torrential rain greeted the 38 horse and rider combinations who set out on the first phase of the FEI CEI 3* Trial event at Terengganu, East Malaysia last weekend.

Eighteen combinations from around the world joined by 20 locally based combinations took part in the trial event to assess the weather conditions and facilities planned for the 2008 FEI World Senior Endurance Championships.

This second trial event was part of the two-year-preparations being undertaken by the organising company YDSM and the Malaysian Equestrian Federation.

The event, The Sultan's Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge 2007, needed to meet the minimum criteria for overseas combinations (40% completion rate within 16 hours ride time) imposed by the FEI to asses the safety and ability of horses to successfully compete in the climate of Terengganu State.

The tropical storm and heavy rains in fact produced cool, near ideal conditions - albeit very wet, which brought about a completion rate of 66% for the overseas combinations who had arrived some three weeks earlier into the extensive quarantine facilities purpose built for the event by the OC.

These facilities are part of a newly constructed International Endurance Centre which includes full equine hospital, central vet gate, full conference and hospitality buildings together with extensive catering outlets.

Some six nations from South America, North America, Europe, The Middle East and Asia were hosted by the organisers. These nations were also joined by riders from the UAE and Malaysian based South Africa and Australian riders. Unfortunately though, no Australian based combinations that had been invited by the organisers were able to compete. They had been prevented from traveling because of the recent equine travel restrictions imposed in Australia.

First to cross the finish line at just after 8am the following morning was Naser Marzouqi from the UAE riding Hafiza Du Mas, with a total ride time of 10 hours 31 minutes giving an average speed of 14.86kph. Jack Begaud from France with Idais Tohiba was second with a speed of 14.82kph. UAE rider Khalid Al Shafar on Supreme Dream took third place by a short head in an exciting racing finish for the line just ahead of Maria Vitoria Liberal Lins on Filoteu Rach from Brazil, both riding at 14.69kph.

The first 16 combinations all successfully completed the 160 kms achieving the present minimum FEI Championship qualifying speed of 12 kph.

The final ride detail showed that of the 18 overseas combinations that started the ride, 66% achieved completion and were joined by over 50% of the locally based horses and riders. Eight horses were presented for the Best Conditioned Award later that morning.

Whilst everyone taking part in the trial event accepted that the cool wet weather had greatly assisted in the high performances achieved, there was praise from the teams for the dedication and commitment from the Malaysian organisers.

Ian Williams, the FEI Director for Endurance who attended the event commented, "The trial run has fully met the criteria imposed by the FEI and the facilities present at the venue were of the highest standard."

"The weather was extremely kind so no one must forget what the temperature and humidity can be like and to think that it is easy to complete 160kms in tropical conditions," he said. "However those who have been successful at this trial event have shown that with the right degree of experience and care, and with assistance from the cooler weather, it is possible to compete safely in Terengganu."

FEI Bureau Meeting, Dubai (UAE), 15-16 November 2007

Corporate
Legal
Communications & Commercial
Endurance

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Endurance:
The main item brought to the attention of the Bureau for information and approval following the meeting of the FEI Endurance Committee in Paris (FRA) on 2 April 2007 was the progress made by the Endurance Task Force established to carry out a full review of the discipline.

The Task Force's mandate is to proactively gather ideas/suggestions and propose changes indicative of the collective wish to continue to develop and raise the standards and perception of international Endurance around the world, keeping Horse Welfare issues as a primary concern.

Assigned areas of responsibility include:
1. Qualification - James Bryant (CAN): Criteria for Championships, Horse Log book/Results Record, Weights, Regional Championships, Handicap System, Leasing of Horses
2. Organization - Vijay Moorthy (IND): Public perception, Dress, Terminology, Abandonment of Events - Protocol, Approved technology, Handicap system.
3. Equine Protection - Fred Barrelet (SUI): Equitation training, Equine research, Minimum rest period between events, Local environment monitoring, Hold/Presentation/Criteria evaluation, Progression through ride distances.
4. Education - Maurizio Stecco (ITA): TD/Course designers, Availability of qualified officials, Maintenance of Official status, FEI database, Courses and development, Star rating of officials.
5. Legal Controls - Art Priesz (USA): Metabolic eliminations, Rider suspension, Enforced rest periods (horses).
6. Competition Structure - John Robertson (GBR): Low level distances (are they a danger?), star rating of distances, Number of vet gates - climate, TD responsibilities, Progressive closing of vet gates, Best Condition Rules.

The areas that have been looked at by the Task Force are:

Qualification criteria for horses and riders to compete in FEI events

Logbook

Event Development (Public perception)

Dress

Terminology

Abandonment of Events

Approved Technology

Handicap System

Roles of Official

Training of Officials

Categories and Rankings of Officials

Low Level Distances

Star Rating - distances

Technical Delegate Responsibilities

Best Condition Rules

Minimum weight

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Corporate:
The FEI Bureau held its statutory meeting on 15 and 16 November in Dubai (UAE). This report is an overview of the main items covered at the meeting.


AN FEI OPERATIONS MANUAL, which is the natural process to follow the organisation’s Internal Regulations, is being prepared. More than another set of regulations, the Manual is intended to document FEI’s main processes as they are performed today; show their relationship to various bodies in and out the organisation; and define ownership for processes. This is the first step in institutionalising FEI’s operations and making them independent of individual’s expertise or experience. Approximately 160 processes have been documented to date. The Manual will provide a solid base for transparency; it will demystify complexity, increase service level to stakeholders and put an end to a culture of rumour. The Manual will be submitted to the Bureau’s approval at its spring meeting in April 2008.


AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
The former FEI Finance Committee has been replaced by an Audit and Compliance Committee (ACC). The internal regulations of the ACC specifying its purpose; reporting process; election and composition; functioning; responsibilities and objectives; and periodicity and method of audit were approved by the Bureau.

The purpose of the ACC is to have a direct oversight responsibility for compliance with FEI Statutes, Internal Regulations, policies and procedures and Swiss law; internal control and risk evaluation; external auditors. Its main responsibility is to identify and control any risks as well as to ensure that those are adequately managed within the organisation.


NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
The detailed proposal submitted by the FEI Nominations Committee after its first meeting held in Lausanne in November was discussed at length. The comments made by the Bureau will be sent back to the Nominations Committee. The finalised version of the report will be sent to the NFs after which it will be made public.


CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Bureau allocated the following Championships:

2008
World Reining, Manerbio (ITA)
World Para-Equestrian Driving, St. Martin Greven-Bockholt (GER), 27-29 June
World Breeding Endurance, Compiegne (FRA), 22-24 Aug.
European Children, Athens (GRE), 10-13 July
South American Young, Riders/Juniors/Pre-Juniors & Children Jumping, Deodoro Military Club/ Rio de Janeiro (BRA), 2-5 Oct.
Balkan Seniors/Young Riders/Juniors & Children Jumping, Plovdiv (BUL), 4-7 Sept.
Balkan Senior Dressage, Istanbul (TUR), 20-22 June
Balkan Senior Eventing, Eskisehir (TUR), 27-29 June
Balkan Seniors Endurance, (ROU), 12-14 Sept.
European Veterans Jumping, Barcelona (ESP), 9-12 Oct.

2009
World Driving Pairs, Kecskemet (HUN), 18-23 Aug.
World Combined Ponies, St. Martin Greven (GER), 2-14 Aug.
World Young Riders/Juniors Endurance, Balbona (HUN), Dates TBC
European Para-Equestrian, Kristiansand (NOR), 20-24 Aug.
European Young Riders & Juniors Jumping, Hoofdoorf (NED), 9-12 July
European Young Riders & Juniors Dressage, Ermelo (NED), Dates TBC
European Children, Moorsele (BEL), 30 July–2 Aug
Pan American Endurance, Costa Azul (URU), 15-30 April

2010
World Driving Singles, Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA), June

The 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup TM Finals Jumping and Dressage had been allocated to Las Vegas by the FEI Executive Board.


CALENDAR
The 2008 calendar of FEI International Events was approved.


GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The current General Assembly format is being reviewed in order to take full advantage of the General Assembly week and keep it interesting and dynamic. A slightly modified version especially in regard to regional group meetings was approved for the FEI General Assembly which will take place in Buenos Aires (ARG) in November 2008.

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Commercial & Communications:
An extensive report on the activities of the Commercial and Communications Departments was presented. Cooperation with FEI’s major sponsors is progressing well and thanks to the support of Rolex with the Rolex World Cup TM, Samsung with the Samsung Super League with FEI and Alltech with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, these events are evolving towards an unprecedented level of professionalism. Further efforts were still required in improving FEI top properties especially where competition format, standardisation and rights were concerned.

The Television Magazine “FEI Equestrian World” now reaches billions of viewers. Its contents has so far included 28 personality and lifestyle interviews; 14 event reports; 22 behind the scenes reports; 6 development stories; 21 series and event previews; eight results reports and one archive piece.

Another platform through which horsesport – and especially those disciplines who do not receive much traditional television coverage – can be promoted globally is Internet Protocol Television (IPTV).

Apart from news, live results, interviewers of winners, winning rounds, previews and reviews, it can include on demand highlights programmes, archive footage and educational programmes. FEI Television has an impressive collection of footage going back many years and is now in the very favourable position to put it to good use.

FEI Communications activities are expanding. The volume of news released since January 2007 has tripled as compared to previous years. As a result, the number of unique visitors to www.horsesport.org – soon to become www.fei.org – has increased from an average of 55’794 per month in 2006 to 71’376 in 2007.

An important problem identified further to the Championships, which took place throughout the summer, was the standard of media facilities and television production at FEI events. Necessary standards were not always met which resulted in difficult working conditions, delays and general discontent. It was agreed that it was a problem with which the FEI had to deal diligently from the initial bidding process.

FEI Licensing activities are also progressing at good pace. The videogame My Horse and Me, which will be launched in two weeks, has been well received by consumers. 450,000 pieces have been pre-ordered. The FEI is particularly satisfied with the fact 21 NFs have been involved in this project and its success is due to the level of cooperation reached.

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Legal:
Figures for 2007

33 cases (not including “Fast Track”) processed by the Tribunal (from 2007 and earlier years)

Only 4 cases, recently submitted to or hears by, are currently with Tribunal awaiting issuance of decisions

11 hearings (5 – in person; 6 – by conference calls)

4 appeals to CAS (2 withdrawn; one decided in favour of FEI; one pending)

Cases from the 2007 Events
38 cases opened (including “Fast Track”) to date (32 processed and 6 being processed by Legal Department)

Out of the 32 processed:
26 decisions issued
3 decisions in draft to be issued shortly
2 dropped by investigative body
1 with Tribunal

The total average time of process of cases, which involves the samples analysis, the evaluation of the case and gathering evidence as well as the decision making process is still too long and needs to be looked at in its entirety in order to ensure timely processing of cases.

The following trends in relation to sanctions can be noted:

Gradual increase of average sanctions

New sanctions better aligned with WADA

Multiplicity of factors affecting sanctions including type of substances, explanations, legitimacy of original treatment, timing of treatment, degree of negligence, level of event, experience of rider, previous record, cooperation in investigation and many other factors

Consistency among Tribunal panels must be improved

Were identified as goals for 2008:

Improving consistency among Panels

Consistent communication regarding cases

Education of the persons responsible

Possible short process for Olympic Games and FEI World Equestrian Games

AUS: Avery pipped at line after 80km ride

Marlborough endurance riding star Kylie Avery and Silands Jasark had to settle for second place after being pipped at the post in last Saturday's ride at The Teme in the Avon Valley.

In a gallop finish Avery finished a fraction of a second behind Nelson rider Alison Higgins and Twynham El Omar who clocked a time of six hours 57.20mins for the 80km ride.

The thrilling finish was the second in recent weeks between the duo with Avery having got the better Higgins on her home turf previously.

While missing the race win Avery did have the consolation of seeing Silands Jasark awarded best conditioned horse.

Lorraine Stratford and Jay won the open 40km ride in a respectable time of 3.23.42, 14 minutes clear of Oxford rider Peter May on Silands TricTrac and Canterbury's Jenny Worsfold and Chandalla Chiffon. The trip north was worth it for May with Silands TricTrac taking out the best conditioned horse, making it a double for the local Silands stud.

Other local riders to qualify in the 40km endurance ride were Jaime Heywood and Black Galaxy, Lisa Ryan and Stonelea Silver Warrior, Oliver Radford and Silands Nizeta, Lisa Avery and Silands Mia Bella, Wendy Hodgkinson and Temptations Future, Missy Green and Xavier Cheerokee, and Natalie Roberts and Willowvale Barak.

Riding in the 25km training Rai Valley's Peter and Rosemary Schupbach both qualified.

Full results can be found in The Marlborough Express November 15.